HOUSTON, Texas – Despite holding a one goal lead early in the second half, the McNeese women's soccer team was unable to hold on as Houston Baptist scored a 2-1 overtime victory over the Cowgirls in Southland Conference action on Sunday.
With under a minute remaining in the first overtime period, HBU's offense released an all out attack in the box as Alessia Dal Monte hit a shot that was stopped by McNeese goalkeeper
Lauren Sestak. However, Sestak was unable to reign in the ball leaving the rebound for Natalie Hager who launched in the game-winner.
"I thought both teams fought hard this evening," said head coach
Scooter Savoie. "We knew that it was going to be a well contested match from the opening whistle until the final whistle and that is exactly the way it played out."
McNeese fell to 4-7-1 overall on the season and 2-3 in conference action while the Huskies picked up their eighth conference point with the win and improved to 3-6-3 overall in 2014.
The Cowgirls took a 1-0 lead in the 49
th minute of play as freshman
Gabi D'Alesandro grabbed a long pass from senior
Krista Steinbeiser and buried a shot from the near side past the goalkeeper to open up the scoring. The goal was D'Alesandro's second on the season while Steinbeiser was credited with her first assist this year.
"We did a great job of jumping out first with Gabi's goal early in the second half," said Savoie. "She executed the play from Krista really well and was able to capitalize."
Houston Baptist came back to tie the game in the 68
th minute as Kelsey Missimer received a pass from Jia LeBlanc and was able to sneak a shot behind the keeper to tie the game 1-1, eventually sending both teams into overtime play.
D'Alesandro led the offensive attack with five shots, two of which were on target. Four other Cowgirls were able to launch shots during that match.
The Huskies led the contest in shots 17-11 while McNeese held a 5-4 advantage in corner kicks.
McNeese will return home next weekend to play host to conference power Stephen F. Austin on Friday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. and in-state rival Northwestern State on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. at Cowgirl Field in Lake Charles.
